Ohio University Brotherhood Promises Death: 10 Charged After Investigation of 18-Year-Old Student's Death

Colin Wynt had promised Sigma Pi's brotherhood at the University of Athens in November 2018. A lawsuit filed by his parents in February alleges he was severely harassed, including with a belt, to break through, to take drugs, forcibly

The case cites a toxicology report which shows that he died of ingestion of nitric oxide.

Seven members of the fraternity face criminal charges ranging from drug and hate crimes to involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide, according to a statement from the Athens County Prosecutor's Office.

"This is not a problem for the University of Ohio," prosecutor Keller Blackburn told CNN affiliates WSYX / WTTE. "This is a problem in society that we as Americans need to address. That's part of the reason we have the drug epidemic we're doing."

Another three were charged with trafficking in harmful narcotics, improper distribution or distribution of nitric oxide. One was also charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

At least two of them worked at a store that Blackburn said affiliates did not properly check the files and that "the whipping of minors was allowed."

In the early hours of the morning of November 1

2, claims to be a fraternity member called 911 to report that Wiant is not responding. The young student's body "was found surrounded by narcotics, including nitrous oxide canisters," the court said. They are often used as inhalers known as "whips".

The fraternity head did not respond to CNN's requests for comment at the time.

"We are aware of the tragic passing of Collin Wiant this past November and we continue to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends," Sigma Pi and Jonathan Frost CEO told CNN in February.

months from your promise to the head of The Sigma Pi epsilon, Wiant, was made to feather, clean and required to be available at all hours of the day and night, according to the case.

He was abused verbally, physically and psychologically, and was forced to drink and accepts drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, adderal and xanax.

And in the hours after Wiant's death, the head of the fraternity convenes an "emergency meeting", a court case says, to launch promises as official members of the fraternity in an attempt to " close the ranks in all members of the fraternity to make sure they all they told the same story about the events earlier this morning. "

The university expelled Sigma Pi's fraternity earlier this year for" hatred and other violations of the Student Code of Conduct. "

" The tragic death of Colin Wynt was devastating to our community. it is encouraging to see progress in the criminal case, "said University spokeswoman Carly Ledwood." Our thoughts remain with the Wiant family after the heartbreaking loss of their son last November. "